Russian demining experts begin sweeping Deir Ez Zour

The Russian Defense Ministry said its demining experts have begun work on the removal of mines and explosives in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ez Zour.

It is estimated that at least 1,500 hectares of land will be clared.

“The experts from the International Center for Mine Action of the Russian Armed Forces are removing mines and explosives from the roads leading to the infrastructural facilities in Deir Ez Zour, particularly hospitals, power plants, water and sanitation systems”, the Ministry said in a statement.

Russian demining experts are also working to clear roads and buildings at the entrances and the outskirts of Deir Ez Zour city, particularly to ensure the safety of humanitarian convoys entering the provincial capital.

The statement added that more than 170 soldiers from the Russian Mine Action Center and 10 crews from the mine detection service have arrived in Syria.

They are aided by at least 40 pieces of specialized equipment, including robots for remote removal of explosives.

During the first days of their work in Deir Ez Zour, the Russian demining experts were able to defuse and dismantle more than 1,500 mines and explosive devices, including 100 hand-made ones.

They also searched through 8 kilometers of roads, 8 buildings and about 3 hectares of the rural surfaces.

Earlier in the month, the Russian Defense Ministry announced it will send experts and specialized equipment to Syria in order to remove mines and explosives left over by ISIS terrorists in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ez Zour.